Greg Strange 1953-2014

A real shock this morning. Just been told that Greg Strange passed away on Friday after a short illness. You may not know the face or name, but you would instantly recognise the unmistakable and warm, dulcet tones from World and European Rally Championship radio coverage on the BBC when it was at its height, and more recently as the founder of the iRally broadcasts and Rally Radio.

Over the years I got to know this human bundle of barely suppressed energy which buzzed, fizzed and crackled with enthusiasm for all things automotive and sporting. During his career he covered all forms of motor sport, not just rallying, and I bumped into him in BTCC paddocks as often as I did in rally Service Areas.

Most recently he attended and reported on the Barum Czech Rally Zlín ERC round, so the news this morning has come as a real shock to those rally fans who used their radios and portable devices to tune in and listen to one of the most knowledgeable, incisive and enjoyable reporters in the business.

Our sympathy to his wife Eiddwen and daughter Olivia and all his family and friends, and to the world of rallying too, it will be just a little bit less polite from now on.